A solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, and we will experience one on April 8. For this solar eclipse, Will County is in its path, and we will be able to see the moon block out the sun. This is a special occurrence because eclipses are not always visible in the same place. Don’t miss this one. The next solar eclipse that will be visible in Will County won’t be until 2044!
But wait! You can’t just go outside and view the eclipse. You need to protect your eyes, but your summer sunglasses are not strong enough. Make your own solar eclipse viewer by following the steps in the video above.
Materials
A box (a cereal box is easiest to work with)
A white sheet of paper
Scissors
A marker
Tape
A piece of tinfoil
A pencil
A glue stick
Instructions
1. Trace the bottom of your box on a white piece of paper. This should be one of the smaller ends of the box.
2. Cut out this shape from the paper and glue it to the inside bottom of your cereal box. This will be the “screen” that the eclipse will be projected on.
3. On the top of your box, use a ruler to measure about 2 inches from each end and draw a line. Cut from the line to the end of the box. (You might need an adult’s help.) After you cut along your 2-inch line, you should have two square holes at either end of the top of the box.
4. Tape the middle part so it is secure.
5. Take a piece of foil and put it over one of those squares. Tape it down. Do not tape over the middle of the foil.
6. Once that is secure, take the pencil and poke a small hole in the middle of the foil.
How it works
To use your viewer during the eclipse, stand with your back to the sun and look through the hole without the foil. The sun’s light will come through the tiny hole in the foil and be projected on the white piece of paper at the bottom of the box. You might have to adjust your view by moving the box up and down until you see the light.
Happy viewing!
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